NZ's Solomons commitment may go beyond 2006

35 NZ police personnel are based in the Solomon Islands. Picture/ Alan Gibson

HONIARA - New Zealand is committed to a security role in the Solomon Islands for some time, said Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Her assurance came after talks in Honiara about the future of the regional assistance project to the troubled Melanesian nation.

The issue of ongoing support for the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (Ramsi) will be on the agenda at the Pacific Forum in Papua New Guinea.

She and several other Ramsi partners - Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Nauru President Ludwig Scotty, Kiribas President Anote Tong and Tuvalu Finance Minister Tuvalu Bikenibeu Paeniu - discussed Ramsi with Solomons Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza.

After the meeting Helen Clark told reporters on Saturday that New Zealand would not put a time line on its commitment to Ramsi but indicated it was ongoing.

"I think it's something the forum as a whole should consider. I don't think it's something we should be putting artificial time limits on ... it should take as long as it takes," she said.

"Obviously New Zealand has been quite a big contributor to what is happening here (in terms of development). Solomon Islands has become our biggest development assistance programme ... because of the very great need to support the rebuilding of Solomon Islands from the law and order situation, better governance and economic and social development."

She said the law and order situation had "transformed out of sight" since Ramsi began.

Thirty-five New Zealand police are based in the Solomons as part of the project, which was commissioned in July 2003 after four years of violent ethnic tension between the people of Guadalcanal and those of the northern island of Malaita. New Zealand has committed to Ramsi up to July 2006 but could extend it further.

"They [the New Zealand officers] are not going anywhere right now. We keep rolling over deployments, rebuilding the capability and professionalism of Solomon Islands police is very important and we are very committed to that," Helen Clark said.

Sir Allen thanked New Zealand for its Ramsi support and in other areas. Elections are to be held next year and Helen Clark said New Zealand would continue its support whoever won.

High-profile Solomon Islands officials have been arrested for their role in the unrest and for corruption, including judges and ministers.

The conflict which prompted the Ramsi effort de-stabilised the government, devastated the economy and disrupted education, services and business and recovery has been slow.

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands estimates that with the country's current population growth of 2.8 per cent, the economy will require 10 per cent annual growth for 10 consecutive years before it can deliver pre-conflict levels of income.

About 30 babies are born a day in the Solomons, with 38 in 1000 dying before their first birthday in a country rated 10th poorest of 14 Pacific Island nations measured. In Honiara it is estimated one wage earner supports 25 people. The population is young, with about half under 15.

New Zealand contributes more than $16 million to the Solomons - mainly towards education. In the islands only 70 per cent of school-aged children attend primary school and fewer complete their education.

New Zealand has committed to funding up to $30 million from 2004-6 to support implementing the Solomons Islands Education Strategic Plan.

Security aid in the Solomons

* The Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (Ramsi) comprises about 250 police from 10 Pacific nations - 35 from New Zealand. New Zealand also has three police in managerial positions and other official roles.

* More than 6300 people - out of a population of only 500,000 - have been arrested since Ramsi began in 2003.

* About 3600 guns have been seized or handed in, including about 700 high-powered military-style weapons.

* Ramsi has cleaned up the police force - 160-plus former officers have been arrested and charged for a range of offences from corruption to murder .